His father, Lou Kitchner, also known as Mr. K., is a single parent with two surviving sons, who has spent his career helping others in the community, said the organizers of the
GoFundMe page
.

"Those of us in the community know him as a kind and wonderful teacher who has spent his career helping our children," they wrote. "Now it is time for us to help him."

The group said they are asking for contributions to the effort in order to allow Mr. K to give his son Brian a fitting and proper burial and memorial.

"These expenses are significant, and additional financial stress in this time of tragedy would be a cruel insult added to injury," they added.

All the funds will go directly to Mr. K, for him to use as necessary to pay for a final resting place for Brian, and other relevant expenses in this time of need.

"Due to the overwhelming response so far, we have increased the fundraising goal with the intent that remaining money can help the Kitchener family with other needs during this difficult time, and possibly fund higher education for Brian's brothers in his memory," they added.